Wait after drilling holes?

[simple1]

Just wondering how everyone goes about fishing after their holes are drilled. This year I have been really mobile and drill a lot more holes. I have been drilling and then dropping the sonar down to see if any fish are there. If I see no fish I have been moving on. But I was reading where people will drill several holes first and then go back to the first hole and check for fish because fish can be spooked by the auger.

Just wondering what some others think about this.

[life=outdoors92]

i drill a hole usually every 7 to 10 feet. after 5 holes i check them all. after 10 holes, i check all ten and so on, so forth. u do have to wait 10 minutes or so after the auger stops in my opinion. usually perch aren't scared though, or during the day many fish aren't too scared if they are on heavy cover

[HandySpence]

Have ya ever broke wind in a bath tub? Well its pretty loud, and water makes noises louder. Any noise made on the ice can spook fish. Always go back to the first hole and fish, however if you make a circle of holes, you are going to have to go to the one farthest away from the last hole you drilled. Another for instance is if you are fishing in 20fw+ noise isn't a big issue unless its super clear water.

[Esox_Magnum]

I have caught fish as soon as the slush is cleaned out. Many times you see them under you while cleaning a hole out. They great thing about clear water, just look down. My uncles in Mn always told stories about when the perch slowed down fire the auger up drill it halfway in and let it sit and idle for awile.

I cant count the number of times while searching in even shallow water for a hole in the weeds, drill a hole drop camera and have fish laying there looking at it. First time we ever used a camer, wife dropped it in while I started cleaning holes, a muskie met her at the bottom and attemted to eat her new toy.

[hamms-scooter]

That would be sweet to have not only clear water but a camera to play with in the clear water. Interesting about drilling and letting it sit and idle for a while...

[Deitz Dittrich]

I too think this is one of those, "It depends" situations. The shallower you are the more its going to affect the fish.. However, that said, I have been sight fishing before and had fish nearly right under the hole after having drilled. But for the most part, I auger a bunch of holes and then go back and start checking them.. But I do that more for the fact that once I start drilling I keep at it till I think I am done so I dont have to re-start he auger and such.. not because I thin kI am spooking the fish.

[Bob Clausen2]

I'm breaking from the usual opinion on noise. I believe that noise from drilling holes or shifting ice has prompted many a lethargic fish to start moving and (maybe) biting. Can't count the number of times I've dropped a lure into a new hole, caught a fish within minutes, and then had to wait an hour for the next action. I'm talking about Eyes in 20+ ft.. Shallow evening fishing in 10ft. or less is another story.

[bturck]

A few years ago I was on the lake pre dawn. My son and grand son came out just after 1st light. Fishing was good for me, several crappies in the bucket. I told him to set up within 6' of my house and drill some holes. While he was drilling I iced 4 more crappies. As soon as he was set he started catching as well. The fish never moved. 11' of water in a shallow lake so who knows. As Dietz said, it can really be situational. I've had bombers on LOW come up to the house, guide walks in slams the door and my bobber is going down..???????

[olbaidhh]

Reminds me of a story up on Red Lake, 8-9 years back, late season beautiful day out probably 40 degrees. We got out on the lake, went straight to the mass of people in search of crappies.

I drilled the first hole my buddy dropped a line in right away. Caught 2 plate size crappies within a minute. I drilled my hole about 5 feet away dropped the line in and caught 2 plate sized within a minute.

THEN NOTHING until I drilled another hole 5 feet from the last hole he dropped down his line 2 more plate sizers... then I drilled another... 5 feet from him, caught my 2. Then again a new spot drilled and another 2.

Some of the crowd was getting a little ticked off with all the drilling, others hit our old holes with NO success.

We had our limit of fish in less then 30 minutes. You should have heard the augers firing up as we left!

True Story.

[Bob Clausen2]

Just thinking about the noise factor. If noise is the enemy, why do so many lure makers go out of their way to have their baits MAKE noise? A PETA conspiracy perhaps???

[blackdog1101]

I think it depends on the type of fish. Crappies, perch and northerns don't seem to be bothered by the noise, while sunnies and walleyes are.

[Bob Clausen2]

Guys! Guys! We've got to shut this thread down!! Just think of the carbon footprint that will be made this weekend with half a million augers idling in half-drilled holes all weekend. I might be ice fishing tomorrow and shad rapping on Sunday!!

[olbaidhh]

Guys! Guys! We've got to shut this thread down!! Just think of the carbon footprint that will be made this weekend with half a million augers idling in half-drilled holes all weekend. I might be ice fishing tomorrow and shad rapping on Sunday!!

I make up for it though with my wind generator...

[markkstanley]

It can be worth it to have Paul run his plow right by your holes when chasing perch on Mille Lacs. Not sure if it works on eyes but it sure can on perch.

[Bob Clausen2]

Wind Generator? The bathtub kind mentioned above that emits carbon & sulfur or the above-ground style. Please identify your environmental impact intentions!

[Bob Clausen2]

Blackdog, 95% of my fishing is for Walleye. While I may not always catch them, It is rare that my Vex doesn't get busier after noise on the ice. My theory...An Eye suspended in most of the waters I fish will see bait 2 to 7 feet in front of it if stays in position for 2 minutes. That same Eye will take that 2 to 7 vision wherever it goes if moving for 2 minutes. Noise (to me) makes a "run and gun" tactic under the water.

[olbaidhh]

Wind Generator? The bathtub kind mentioned above that emits carbon & sulfur or the above-ground style. Please identify your environmental impact intentions!

Here it is

[leech~~]

I run and gun a little different then most. Because a lot of times after drilling a hole in a new spot I don't see any fish on the Vex right away, but after jigging a few minutes it seems to fire them up if their around. I catch some nice fish right away and then they seem to stop after a while. I don't drill a ton of holes in one spot then move. I just drill one hole, try it for a bit, go to the next spot and try another hole. Saves on time, gas, and arms. Plus, I end up with all my gear and bait at each hole so I don't have to keep running back to it. I don't flip over the house at each spot, just keep the auger, vex, and one rod ready to jig and move. If their there then it's time to flip the house over and get comfy. Works well for me.

[Bob Clausen2]

Sweet Generator!!! How about hinging that half way up the pole so that it hangs just on the ice and spins (sort of) It make noise as it hits the ice and makes green power at the same time. Might even be able to get some stimulus money to mass produce them.

[olbaidhh]

ya she might make a clank then... otherwise she is almost silent. WAY more quiet then a gas generator, and just as efficient if the wind is blowing 5-10 mph.

[shizzy]

I usually just drill 3-4 holes. then I drop my transduer and hit the best looking one. I still try the other holes before moving on.

[jwhjr]

I just drill a bunch and they seem to hit most of the time soon after. If things have died down in the shack after awhile, I'll go out and drill some more to wake the fish back up.

[jwhjr]

I usually just drill 3-4 holes. then I drop my transduer and hit the best looking one. I still try the other holes before moving on.

shizzy - how's that auger working out for you. I hope you've gotten out and drilled more holes than I have so far this winter

[fisherdog19]

If I'm by myself, I'll drill a ton of holes and start with the Vex on the first hole. If I've got someone with, the second person will follow behind as the holes are drilled and when done drilling the driller goes back to the first hole and starts from there.

[gr82fish]

olbaidhh, the wind turbine appears functional?...is it running lights or anything for you?